December is one month you should not set foot in a store unless you’re truly an intrepid shopper. Holiday and Christmas shopping can be quite a challenge for busy parents.
Here are a few tips to help you finish your holiday shopping while remaining stress free! First make a list as soon as you can of all your gift recipients for the holidays. After each name list any ideas or gifts you already have for that person. Set a budget for each person as well. The last thing you want to do is spend the next half of the year paying off your holiday shopping!
Keep your list handy so you can easily refer to it while you are out shopping or doing any online shopping. If you keep this list on hand even after the holidays you can use it all year round. During the year you can check clearance bins to look for things someone on your list would like.
If you are doing online shopping be sure to compare prices! Search for coupons using Google or such sites as RetailMeNot.
Make it a game to find the cheapest price. Set a goal to have all your shopping done by a certain date. Organize your time so you can shop while your children are in school, or shop after work or spend a little time online each night.
Find a space in your home where you can set up a wrapping station. Wrap the presents as they come in and store them away so your little ones won’t find them.
Be sure to purchase a few extra items for those last minute gifts. I have a box where I keep small giftable items that are perfect for Yankee Swaps or gift exchanges that come up in December.
The days after Christmas are the perfect time to clean up on holiday décor, candles, wrapping paper and inedible gift items. Be careful about buying fragrances for next year, as time diminishes their potency; however, if you’re planning on giving Mom the perfume for Mother’s Day, you’ll probably be just fine.
In addition to keeping the holidays calm and cost effective, buying presents all year round helps you be more thoughtful of others. You can find gifts they will truly enjoy and use. By planning your Christmas shopping in advance you’ll beable to avoid the packed stores in December and nasty bills in the New Year.
Linked to: HomemakerOnADime,LearningTheFrugalLife, WeAreThatFamily
Nancy on the Home Front 